________________
are two different things. If person experiences sorrow in the misery of another being, will he still be prepared to inflict misery on others?
This means that the starting point of himsă and ahimsā is the same but as the direction is opposite the gap between the two continues to increase. Everyone knows that other beings also experience pleasure and pain. But those who do not themselves experience the pain of others commit himsā or violence. And those who experience the pain of others as if they were suffering it themselves do not commit hiṁsā or violence. They observe ahiṁsā. This indicates that the feelings and attitude of a violent person are always complex and callous and those of a non-violent person are always simple and tender.
Another important factor is that a violent person is antagonistic to all entities. He has no hesitation in plucking feathers of a cock, slitting a writhing fish, or putting monkeys in a cage and depriving them of food. He is insensitive to the pain of others. As against this, ahiṁsā is feeling of equality with all entities. When a non-violent person finds someone in misery he him-self experiences the pain and gets moved. He is eager to act as balm for the scorched feelings of that being. The whole edifice of religion rests on this tender feeling of equality for all beings. Therefore, a truly non-violent person always has this feeling - I have friendship with all sentient entities in this universe. I have no aversion or antagonism for any being. I am filled with compassion for the suffering and love and equanimity for those who are hostile to me for some reason22. Inspired by these feelings a non-violent person finds all entities in this world as equal to his own self.
Ahimsā is a code that includes equality for all beings in this world; provision of protection to all; no transgression of rights of anyone; and no injustice, torture, rape, exploitation, hatred, or jealousy for anyone. Ahiṁsā is another name for renouncing antagonism or hostility. When ahiṁsā is established hostility dies its own death. That is the reason that in the divine assembly of Jain Tirthankaras naturally hostile beings, such as lion and cow, snake and mongoose, snake and pea-cock, are seen assembled together.
Ahiṁsā is the nature of soul and himsā its perversion. Ahiṁsā is like cold water and himsā is like all consuming fire. Ahiṁsā is the basis
111
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
